Ok so I just changed our reservation to include the military rate!!! DBF is a little disappointed we aren't doing deluxe dining anymore but how can you turn down 40% at the Poly? We are now only paying 1600 for 5 nights with basic dining at the Poly- thats half of what it was before! We dont have park tickets yet because DBF will get a 5 day park hopper for free, and I can get one for 125. We will buy these when we get there at MK.
As for dining, I still plan on eating at most of the places we decided on before. We will just have to pay out of pocket for some meals, not a big deal considering the amount of money we just saved!
im so excited!!!!!!!
Seriously. Took off her shoes, fell asleep talking to herself and wiggling around, and couldn't be woken up. DS had to go to the bathroom and I couldn't wake her up. DH got out of his seat, and lifted our kid over this chickie, dragging his feet, didn't wake her up. She slept thru landing, almost slid off her seat. It would have been funny if it wasn't so awful. 
but they're usually the cheapest. I suspect we'll be using them again.
Joining up!
We don't have our trip booked yet, but will be going something like July 2-12 or 3-13 or 4-14, something to that effect. We probably won't be able to book until mid-Feb (you know, tax refund time)
Grandma4ever, backing up about 4 pages, we flew out of Kansas City on Southwest last year, I'm a couple hours east of you. They don't post their flights as early as the other airlines do, I noticed a couple of days ago that they don't have July in their system yet, I think they only go 6 months in advance so it should be soon. They do have some direct flights. Might be cheaper to fligh AirTran but we wanted a direct flight-- first time flying with DS11 and DS8 (autism) and we weren't in the mood to make it complicated, the airports themselves are enough crazy without a layover.
Southwest also doesn't do seat assignments. You go to their website 24 hours in advance (I think) and print a boarding pass that gives you a spot in line. I went to the website at exactly the right minute and we hit somewhere in the 50's in line and no problem getting the seats we wanted. However, the flight there was awful-- but not their fault exactly-- both kids wanted a window seat so DH & I split up and sat in adjacent rows, which left the aisle seats open. DH got some cool guy who sat yapping about GameBoys with them. I got the Meth Addict.
So you know, Southwest does have that reputation, of not attracting, shall we say, the highest-level clientele
Oh yes, and LuvMySoldier, have you thought about hooking your DBF up with the flag retreat at Magic Kingdom? DH did it last year and it was by far the coolest thing we did the whole vacation. It's just really really neat, very moving.
Or other people just loved it. They do a dry run of the MK fireworks on the 3rd and it is less crowded. Epcot might be our best option as it handles the crowds better anyway. Or we go to MK on the 3rd and then like AK on the 4th and just hide at the hotel that night. We also thought about going to MK on the 3rd and then trying to get in to HoopDeeDoo on the 4th and just hanging out around there for the barge parade and the marshmallow roast and I'm thinking the campground is probably pretty hopping in it's own way. It looks like our whole visit will be in the 9's and 10's, but last year in June I think all the days were 8's and it wasn't horrible. Honestly, the lines are not so much of a factor because last year we got a GAC and that worked well for us, but crowds are crowds and I've seen some pics here on the boards that were really crazy. I guess I have until April to figure it out, anyway. We aren't getting park-hoppers but we're getting the food plan, so I have to figure things out in advance.
